Rubinstein - Piano Music

Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894) was one of the greatest pianists of the 19th century, often said to have been Liszt´s equal in terms of technical ability. He was also a prolific composer and a musical educator with great influence on the development of music in Russia. Rubinstein founded the Conservatory in St. Petersburg, while his brother Nikolay set up a similar institution in Moscow. The Conservatories were not welcomed by the nationalist composers, who accused the brothers of spreading German ideas.Rubinstein wrote hundreds of solo piano pieces as well as five piano concertos but also various chamber compositions, symphonies, operas, ballets, and choral and vocal works. He gave concerts all over Europe from the age of eleven and later on also in the USA. Like Liszt´s, Rubinstein´s recitals were tremendous occasions. There was always an element of unpredictability and surprise in his performances. According to contemporary sources, the power of his playing was elemental. His stamina was astonishing: on his (very lucrative) eight-month tour of the USA 1872-1873 he gave 215 recitals. His repertory was enormous, ranging from Byrd, Bull, Couperin and Rameau to contemporary Russian composers. Among all his sonatas, suites and other pieces for the piano, the Melody in F is the only piece that has entered the pianist´s canon.